How do I grow my email list when starting fresh or rebranding?

Create a new, relevant lead magnet (downloadable freebie) that aligns with your current vision and target audience. This should offer genuine value related to your new direction. Your existing list of 450 people is actually a good, manageable size—it’s better to have a smaller, engaged list than a huge unresponsive one. Before growing it, validate that your current subscribers are still interested by sending an engagement email asking if anyone’s there. When people reply, that’s confirmation your list has value. Then focus on creating new opt-in opportunities on your website that attract your ideal new customers. Don’t worry about list size as much as list quality and engagement. A few hundred truly interested people is more valuable than thousands of cold contacts.

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Asked by an artist with a small email list · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-03-17